It’s immediately obvious that the new Citroen C3 Aircross Max has a tall task ahead of it. Ever since Citroen’s hey-days of the ’60s and ‘70s, the French manufacturer sealed an enviable reputation for radical car design. The only problem was its left-field creations were not always well received by the buying public. Sure, many iconic Citroens were destined to become instant future classics due to their quirky interpretation. However, you always got got the sense the French firm kind of envied brands that could simply make a good, humble, cost-effective car for the masses.
That’s where the new Citroen C3 Aircross Max enters the fray. Priced at just R344 900, it’s certainly radical on value. And having spent a week with it, I’m unable to suss out any downside in this value equation. First of all, it’s taller, chunkier and more robust than the base C3 hatchback Stellantis also launched this year. The last one hailed from Europe, but to bring the Citroen C3 Aircross Max into South Africa at a competitive price, it is sourced from India. Â
CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS MAX
And we get it, really we do. Stellantis’ global restructuring means emerging markets like South Africa can and should get right-hand-drive vehicles from the Far East. And, you know what? The New World Order works. The Citroen C3 Aircross Max is designated a no-frills, entry-level type crossover in South Africa. It foregoes all the smart, quirky stuff you’ll find in Peugeot and Opel, so the Stellantis global playpens don’t overlap.
And, as a budget-friendly crossover, the Citroen C3 Aircross Max is more or less optionless but also pretty faultless. What you see is what you get. On the exterior you get a two-tone roof, contrasting wing mirrors and a few nice-to-have trim bits. But, on the inside, it’s a very ordinary grey on black interior with a few material inserts to inject some differentiation. Crucially, there’s a neat 10-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and reverse-view camera that handles all functionality. And there’s a basic 7-inch instrument cluster. It’s basic and to-the-point, but you’ve got to appreciate the pragmatism of its execution.
PRAGMATIC MEETS PRACTICAL
Clearly, more important to the Citroen C3 Aircross Max engineering team is its practical execution. With a wheelbase of 2 671 mm and an overall length of 4 323 mm, the Citroen C3 Aircross Max is one of the biggest vehicles in class and price range. And it shows. There is seating for five full-size adults and a massive boot (444 litres) thanks to its proudly upright, boxy shape at the rear. During the test period, I hosted visitors from overseas with loads of luggage and a keenness to visit all the typical Cape Town tourist traps. And the boxy Citroen felt like it was right in its element. The adjustable driver’s armrest was an unexpected and welcome boon for comfort, too.  Â
On the road, the good news extends to its drive quality as well. The perky little turbocharged three-cylinder 1.2-litre engine punches well above its weight. 81 kW and 205 Nm of torque is transferred to the road gamely by a six-speed automatic. And delivers a thrummy three-pot roar in the process. Combined with a commendable weight loss programme, it fairly shunts the Citroen C3 Aircross Max from zero to 100 km/h in less than 10 seconds. It’s also fun without dashing your fuel economy, which settled at a real-world average of 7.0 l/100 km during our evaluation. Equally commendable is its handling, given this is a not-so small crossover SUV. Steering feel is light but precise, and the body shell copes well with the extra ride height and chunky 17-inch wheels.
THE VERDICT
So, the R344 900 question must be whether the Citroen C3 Aircross Max is worth the montly repayments? We, for one, believe it is. Just psychologically, any new family vehicle retailing for less the R400k has won the right to your attention. Sure, some of the typical French fandango to attract the trendies is missing. But the vehicle is still striking enough with its two-tone execution to be desireable. And, mechanically, the upside of the feisty 1.2T motor is there for all to see with its pragmati performance. As a result, it deserves to succeed in a value-driven South African market.
THE FIGURES
- Citroen C3 Aircross Max 1.2T 6AT
- Price: R344Â 900
- Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol
- Power: 81 kW @ 5Â 500 r/min and 205 Nm @ 1Â 500 r/min
- Transmission: 6-speed auto, front-wheel drive
- Fuel Economy: 6.3 l/100 km (claimed) / 7.0 l/100 km (tested)
- Performance: 0-100 km/h in 9.5 seconds / top speed 185 km/h
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS FAMILY CROSSOVER?
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